Global Development (SIG GlobDev)

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Paper Type

Complete

Paper Number

1605

Description

From data collection to provide epidemiologic analysis to questions about privacy and surveillance, data has taken up an even more vital role with the COVID-19 pandemic: reliable data is required for decision-making and for measuring the effectiveness of strategies to control the virus. In general, citizens look up to governments to provide that information. However, a mix of inclination to opacity on the side of governments and a mistrust on the side of the citizens can open up the issue to data activism. Building on transparency studies and data activism literature, this research explores a case study of data activism in Brazil, where a group of volunteers consolidate and structure COVID-19 data for open access, replacing a fundamental attribute of the state during a pandemic. Because of its urgency and impact, a pandemic makes us rethink the role of data activism beyond issues of justice, accountability, and social change.

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Aug 9th, 12:00 AM

Data Activism as Essential Service

From data collection to provide epidemiologic analysis to questions about privacy and surveillance, data has taken up an even more vital role with the COVID-19 pandemic: reliable data is required for decision-making and for measuring the effectiveness of strategies to control the virus. In general, citizens look up to governments to provide that information. However, a mix of inclination to opacity on the side of governments and a mistrust on the side of the citizens can open up the issue to data activism. Building on transparency studies and data activism literature, this research explores a case study of data activism in Brazil, where a group of volunteers consolidate and structure COVID-19 data for open access, replacing a fundamental attribute of the state during a pandemic. Because of its urgency and impact, a pandemic makes us rethink the role of data activism beyond issues of justice, accountability, and social change.

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